Smokey Rover V8
Discussion
Despite the detailed description on ebay stating "excellent runner" 
, it appears that I have won a bit of a dog!
(that's the gamble you take with 'delbay' I suppose!)
Got it started and to be honest it does sound really sweet, there is no tapping or rattles and it starts on the turn of the key with reasonable oil pressure (I think, gauge not connected yet due to sender issues, but the oil light goes out anyway).
All is well until you sample the delights of the exhaust emissions!
As soon as it starts, blue smoke. Fair enough I thought it is a 25 year-old engine, valve stem seals.
No, rev it and you are presented with the delights of more burning oil (don't you love that smell!) It seems to me that the engines life as an off-road competitor has taken its toll.
However I think there is life left in the old girl yet (this lump was only obtained as a temporary 'mobility aid' until I had sourced a more suitable power plant)
I'm thinking piston rings, is this a big job? Do-able with the engine in situ?
Although if it was the 'rings' would it smoke on initial start-up, or have I crap valve stem seals/guides?
Any thoughts on this matter woulds be appreciated,
Thanks
James
, it appears that I have won a bit of a dog!(that's the gamble you take with 'delbay' I suppose!)
Got it started and to be honest it does sound really sweet, there is no tapping or rattles and it starts on the turn of the key with reasonable oil pressure (I think, gauge not connected yet due to sender issues, but the oil light goes out anyway).
All is well until you sample the delights of the exhaust emissions!
As soon as it starts, blue smoke. Fair enough I thought it is a 25 year-old engine, valve stem seals.
No, rev it and you are presented with the delights of more burning oil (don't you love that smell!) It seems to me that the engines life as an off-road competitor has taken its toll.
However I think there is life left in the old girl yet (this lump was only obtained as a temporary 'mobility aid' until I had sourced a more suitable power plant)
I'm thinking piston rings, is this a big job? Do-able with the engine in situ?
Although if it was the 'rings' would it smoke on initial start-up, or have I crap valve stem seals/guides?
Any thoughts on this matter woulds be appreciated,
Thanks
James
Has it got a recirculating breather? If so, disconnect it (block the entry to the intake, and redirect the vent to a catch tank) and see if that makes any difference.
Worn valve stem seals usually seem to show up on startup and also sometimes when applying power after a period of engine braking.
Worn valve stem seals usually seem to show up on startup and also sometimes when applying power after a period of engine braking.
GreenV8S said:
Has it got a recirculating breather? If so, disconnect it (block the entry to the intake, and redirect the vent to a catch tank) and see if that makes any difference.
Worn valve stem seals usually seem to show up on startup and also sometimes when applying power after a period of engine braking.
Yes this is an avenue I have explored courtesy of Google,Worn valve stem seals usually seem to show up on startup and also sometimes when applying power after a period of engine braking.
However this lump is currently running on SU carburettors until I get an EFI (rather pick-up another 'delbay' win
) system for it. Both rocker covers have pipes attached, via a filter-type-thing, to each carburetor. Both filters are clean, as are the pipes and also sticking a long implement into carb. reveals that is also clear of obstruction. A vacuum is noted when removing the filler cap, so I (think) can rule this out.One thing I am not too sure of though, is that there is a strange filter attached to a pipe (steel pipe emerges just above the bell-housing) at the back of the block, I not sure if this is some sort of crankcase breather.
peaktorque said:
A vacuum is noted when removing the filler cap, so I (think) can rule this out.
That doesn't mean much, it could still have excessive blow-by and I suggest you disable the recirculating breather setup as a test. A compression test and cylinder leakdown test would also be useful to tell whether there are any major problems with the bores or valves.Smoke is getting worse!
Carried-out compression test today and results as follows:-
1) 140 psi
2) 140 psi
3) 145 psi
4) 145 psi
5) 140 psi
6) 150 psi
7) 150 psi
8) 145 psi
A bit low maybe, but this engine is supposed to have a 8.25:1 CR.
I have no idea what (in terms of psi) this engine in good health would produce.
Haven't carried-out a leak-down test yet.
Any further advice appreciated.
Thanks
Carried-out compression test today and results as follows:-
1) 140 psi
2) 140 psi
3) 145 psi
4) 145 psi
5) 140 psi
6) 150 psi
7) 150 psi
8) 145 psi
A bit low maybe, but this engine is supposed to have a 8.25:1 CR.
I have no idea what (in terms of psi) this engine in good health would produce.
Haven't carried-out a leak-down test yet.
Any further advice appreciated.
Thanks
peaktorque said:
Carried-out compression test today and results as follows:-
1) 140 psi
2) 140 psi
3) 145 psi
4) 145 psi
5) 140 psi
6) 150 psi
7) 150 psi
8) 145 psi
Not bad. 140 to 150 is pretty close, and since you seem to have rounded the figures to multiples of 5 psi it may be even less than that. The figures are pretty healthy for a low CR engine, and there is relatively little variation which is the main thing to look for.1) 140 psi
2) 140 psi
3) 145 psi
4) 145 psi
5) 140 psi
6) 150 psi
7) 150 psi
8) 145 psi
GreenV8S said:
peaktorque said:
Carried-out compression test today and results as follows:-
1) 140 psi
2) 140 psi
3) 145 psi
4) 145 psi
5) 140 psi
6) 150 psi
7) 150 psi
8) 145 psi
Not bad. 140 to 150 is pretty close, and since you seem to have rounded the figures to multiples of 5 psi it may be even less than that. The figures are pretty healthy for a low CR engine, and there is relatively little variation which is the main thing to look for.1) 140 psi
2) 140 psi
3) 145 psi
4) 145 psi
5) 140 psi
6) 150 psi
7) 150 psi
8) 145 psi
I must admit that since fitting the engine I have only 'taken it round the block' so a good clear-out should help!
The spark plugs are black, but not oily.
I am beginning to think that smoke is a bit whitish at the moment (the blue seems to come and go, valve stem seals are definitely shagged as I have big blue cloud on start-up!), but I think this could be to do with converting the lump to EFI. There was a bit of coolant leaking from the manifold and maybe leaking into the inlet ports.
Thanks again
Me again.
A mad moment!
Decided to take the heads off, just for a look really!
Noticeable movement in the valve-guide relationship. I would assume that there should be no/very little slack when rocking the valve in the guide. Is it possible to renew the guides on a DIY basis?
The stem seals are all present and correct. The bores seem o.k. The engine has definitely been rebuilt at some point because it is so clean and bolts are all nicely coated with copper grease!
A mad moment!
Decided to take the heads off, just for a look really!
Noticeable movement in the valve-guide relationship. I would assume that there should be no/very little slack when rocking the valve in the guide. Is it possible to renew the guides on a DIY basis?
The stem seals are all present and correct. The bores seem o.k. The engine has definitely been rebuilt at some point because it is so clean and bolts are all nicely coated with copper grease!
I assume you have filled it to the correct oil level and not over filled it? Could be crankcase oil passing the rings?
Stem seal leakage allows oil to drip onto the pistons overnight so you get smoke on startup. You also get it under lift off conditions. Early engines don't have stem seals so a head swop could fix it if this is the problem.
Is this definately oil being burnt and not petrol?
Stem seal leakage allows oil to drip onto the pistons overnight so you get smoke on startup. You also get it under lift off conditions. Early engines don't have stem seals so a head swop could fix it if this is the problem.
Is this definately oil being burnt and not petrol?
Boosted LS1 said:
I assume you have filled it to the correct oil level and not over filled it? Could be crankcase oil passing the rings?
Stem seal leakage allows oil to drip onto the pistons overnight so you get smoke on startup. You also get it under lift off conditions. Early engines don't have stem seals so a head swop could fix it if this is the problem.
Is this definately oil being burnt and not petrol?
Cloud of blue smoke on start-up, which does clear, but you still get a puff if you 'blip' it.Stem seal leakage allows oil to drip onto the pistons overnight so you get smoke on startup. You also get it under lift off conditions. Early engines don't have stem seals so a head swop could fix it if this is the problem.
Is this definately oil being burnt and not petrol?
The oil level is spot on.
Got my eye on some 4.6 heads as it goes on e-bay
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